Former U.S. Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo has lost ground against Republican Gov.
George Pataki since Cuomo's criticism of Pataki's post-September 11 leadership, according
to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Since an April 18 poll by the independent Quinnipiac University, conducted before
Cuomo's "holding Mayor Giuliani's coat" comment, Pataki has widened his November
election lead from 54 - 30 percent to 59 - 26 percent.

The April 18 poll had shown Cuomo inching up on Pataki and widening his lead over
State Comptroller H. Carl McCall in the Democratic primary.

"Holding the coat or holding the bag? Gov. Pataki's leadership rating is twice as high
as Andrew Cuomo's. Cuomo's favorability ratings are 2 -1 negative, his worst readings,"
said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Cuomo was on a campaign bus to Buffalo, with momentum on his side, when he
made that `holding-the-coat' remark. He was headed for Buffalo, but ended up in the soup."

"He lost momentum against Pataki in the general election and against McCall in the
Democratic primary. Can he get out of the soup and back on the bus?" Carroll added.

By a 67 - 25 percent margin, New York State registered voters disagree with
Cuomo's comment that Pataki provided weak leadership after September 11 and was only
holding Giuliani's coat. Democrats disagree with Cuomo 55 - 36 percent.

Pataki did an "excellent" job helping New York City recover from the September 11
terrorist attack, 26 percent of voters say, while 59 percent say he did a "good" job.

Giuliani did an "excellent" job after September 11, 70 percent of voters statewide
say, while 23 percent say he did a "good" job.

"Post September 11, Giuliani remains the star, but Pataki's ratings are more than
respectable," Carroll said.

From April 23 - 29, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,046 New York State registered
voters, with a margin of error of +/- 3 percent. The survey includes 404 registered
Democrats with a margin of error of +/- 4.9 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and nationwide as a public
service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

1. Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his
job as Governor?

15. How would you rate the job New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has done
helping New York City recover from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center
on September 11th - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

16. How would you rate the job Governor George Pataki has done helping
New York City recover from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center
on September 11th - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

17. How would you rate the job President George W. Bush has done helping
New York City recover from the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center
on September 11th - excellent, good, not so good, or poor?

23. (If registered Democrat) How will Andrew Cuomo's criticism of the way
George Pataki handled the September 11th terrorist attack influence your
vote in the Democratic primary for Governor in September?

Will it make you more likely to vote for Andrew Cuomo in the primary, less
likely to vote for Cuomo in the primary, or won't it have much effect one
way or the other?